17 Motion in a circle

AQA Physics Support

Motion in a circle Part 2

Specification reference
 3.6.1.1
 MS 0.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.7

Introduction
At GCSE you studied circular motion qualitatively.
You will have decided that in all of these cases there is a force towards the centre.
This may be due to:
 gravity
 tension in a piece of string
 electrostatic/electromagnetic forces
 friction.
You may have discussed:
 whether a satellite in low polar orbit travels faster or slower than a
geostationary communications satellite orbiting the equator
 what factors control how fast a satellite can travel and concluded that:
 the mass of the satellite
 its height above the Earth
are the limiting factors.
At A Level you need to be able to discuss all of these situations and others
quantitatively as well qualitatively. Circular motion is not just an isolated topic
within the A Level specification, but the ideas and equations learnt here are
used later synoptically in the topics of gravitational and magnetic fields
(chapters 21 and 24 of the Student book).

Learning outcomes
After completing this worksheet you should be able to:
 explain how to convert from degrees to radians and vice versa
 explain the difference between linear and angular velocity
 understand that an object in circular motion travels at a constant linear speed but
its velocity changes, so that it accelerates towards the centre of the circle
 understand that there is a resultant force towards the centre of the circle
 apply your knowledge to various everyday situations.

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Background
Important points about circular motion:
 Linear speed v is constant.
 Direction changes as object goes round circle.
 Velocity changes.
 Accelerates towards centre of circle
 Acceleration is caused by a centripetal force F towards the centre.
 The force towards the centre F in any example is the resultant of the forces
already present.
It is not an extra force and if it is removed the object will fly off along the tangent.

Figure 1
Equations used in circular motion are shown below where:
v  linear speed ω  angular velocity r  radius a  acceleration
f  frequency F  force
vrω
v2
a or a  r  2
r
mv 2
F  or F  mr  2
r
2
  2f or T 

Don’t forget these equations! It is really useful if you know the frequency or period of
revolution of an object.

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Example 1: Finding centripetal force

A stone of mass 0.20 kg attached to the end of a piece of string is whirled round in a
horizontal circle of radius 1.0 m with a constant speed of 2.4 m s−1. Calculate the
tension in the string.
m  0.20 kg
r  1.0 m
v  2.4 m s−1
Step 1 In this example the tension provides the centripetal force.
Step 2 Use the equation for centripetal force.
mv 2 0.2  2.42
F  
r 1
 1.152 N
 1.2 N (to two significant figures)

Example 2: Vertical circle – finding maximum and minimum tensions

An object of mass 4.0 kg attached to a piece of string is whirled round in a vertical
circle of radius 2.0 m with a speed of 5.0 m s−1. Calculate the maximum and
minimum tensions in the string. Assume g  9.81 m s−2.
m  4.0 kg
r  2.0 m
v  5.0 m s−1
Step 1 Use the equation for centripetal force.
mv 2 4.0  5.02
F  
r 2.0
 50 N
Note: This centripetal force is the resultant of the tension in the string and the
weight of the object.
Step 2 At the bottom of the circle draw a diagram to show the forces acting.

Figure 2

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Step 3 Looking at the diagram

Resultant force towards centre  T − mg
Step 4 Write a force equation.
From Step 1 we know centripetal force  50 N
T – mg  50
T  50  (4.0  9.81)
 50  39.24
 89.24 N
 89 N (to two significant figures)
Note: This is maximum tension in the string.
At the top of the circle repeat Steps 2 to 4.
Resultant force towards centre  T  mg

Figure 3
T  mg  50
T  50 − mg
 50 − (4.0  9.81)
 50 − 39.24
 10.76 N
 11 N (to two significant figures)
Note: This is the minimum tension in the string.

Questions
1 Assuming that the Earth orbits the Sun in a circular path and that
1 year  3.2 × 107 s, radius of orbit  1.5 × 1011 m, and
mass of Earth  6.0 × 1024 kg, calculate:
a the angular velocity of the Earth

(2 marks)

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b the linear speed of the Earth

(2 marks)

c the centripetal force needed to keep the Earth in orbit around the Sun.

(2 marks)

2 A small object of mass 80 g attached to a string of length 1.2 m is swung in a

vertical circle. It travels at a linear speed of 4.8 m s–1. Assuming g  9.81 m s–2,
calculate:
a the tension at the highest point

(4 marks)

b the tension at the lowest point.

(2 marks)

Examination style question

3 A light aircraft flying horizontally at 70 m s−1 has a propeller of radius 0.5 m which
makes 20 revolutions per second.
a Calculate the velocity of the tip of the propeller.

(3 marks)

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b When the propeller is at its highest point, calculate the force experienced by
a 0.2 g mass attached to the tip.

(2 marks)

c State what provides this force.

(1 mark)

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